Sara Chisnell, UKC Legal Counsel Sara Chisnell has a BA from Otterbein College in Equine Science, a JD from Michigan State University College of Law, has passed the bar in Kentucky and Michigan, and is a member of the Animal Law Section of the Michigan State Bar. Sara is owned by two German Shorthaired Pointers, a Weimaraner, and an Australian Cattle Dog, and is active in dock jumping, disc, showing, and field training.What's happening NOW in the world of dog law

11/04/2014: In August, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published their final rule in the Federal Register, announcing changes to regulations regarding importation of dogs under the Animal Welfare Act.

United Kennel Club believes that breed specific legislation is a poor choice for communities interested in protecting citizens from dog bites and attacks. Breed specific legislation, or BSL, is the singling out of a breed or breeds of dogs to take varying degrees of enforcement action against, in a weak attempt to reduce the numbers of dog attacks. The majority of BSL is directed at American Pit Bull Terriers, proudly our number two breed, but other breeds such as Rottweilers and Akitas are targeted as well.

While none of us like to think about our dogs potentially causing injury to others, it is sadly a common occurrence and a possibility to any dog owner. Owners should be aware of potential legal ramifications, especially with the potential for expensive civil lawsuits.

The pet industry is huge in this country, and the sale of dogs is a major portion of the industry. While most Americans consider their dogs their companions and part of the family, under the law they are considered ‘goods,’ and as such, really have no higher legal status than other goods, such as a car. However, the laws that govern transactions between sellers and buyers give them certain rights, protections, and responsibilities. This article aims to outline the legal rights and ramifications for both buyers and sellers of dogs to consider in their transactions.

While none of us like to think about our dogs potentially causing injury to others, it is sadly a common occurrence and a possibility to any dog owner. Owners should be aware of potential legal ramifications, especially with the potential for expensive civil lawsuits.

In today’s world, pets have become more like members of the family than just animals. Just as you would want to make sure your loved ones are cared for should something happen, so too should you make sure that your pets are cared for as well.

The issues of dog bites and attacks in this nation have grown as urban populations increase, and more people own more dogs in more confined spaces. It has especially attracted media attention as the popularity of pit bull type dogs as a status symbol and also their role in dog fighting has increased incredibly over the past few years. States and municipalities have reacted by putting these two together and creating breed specific laws.

DISCLAIMER: All posted articles are written with the intent to provide readers with information on dog law and are purely educational and informative in nature. They are in no way intended to be interpreted in any form as legal advice. Persons in need of legal help should seek attorneys licensed in their state for assistance.